Improved bandage for preternatural enlargements



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ANSON R. BROWN, M. D., :OF ALBION, MICHIGAN.

Letters Patent No. 84,255, dated November 24, 1868.

IMPROVED BANDAG-E FOR PRETERNATURAL ENLARG-EMENTS.

Figure 1 exhibits a broken-off portion of my ordinary bamlage.

Figure Zyrepresents a modified construction of the same.

I construct my improved bandage of any of the' well` known elastic textile fabrics that may be suitable for the special cases tobetreated.

It is woven into bands of different widths and thicknesses, and may be secured, when wound around a y limb, by a tongue, a, formed in the manufacture, and

a buckle (not shown) at the other end, or by any other of the well-known modes 'of fastening bandages.

I construct my bandages with numerous openings, interstices, or pelforations, as at e, which maybe formed, in the process of manufacture, according to pattern in lig. 2, or any other desirable pattern; or, said .openings may be formed by cutting out of the material simplcround or other-shaped periorations with punches, substantially as seen in iig. 1.

Varicose veins, and many other preternatural local enlargements, are mainly caused by local or general debility, a-nd consequent relaxation of parts. In such cases, a state of tumefaction, in serpentine courses, is developed, which can only be removed by a combined local and general course of treatment.

I treat such cases locally, by compression of the parts affected with my elastic perforated bandage, which may be applied, .to swathe an enlarged limb, by winding it arotindin one thickness, Without overlap, so as to produce uniform elastic pressure all over the abnormal or diseased structure; or, by employing different bandages, and compressing the remote portion of an enlargement, so as to arrest or check the flow of venous blood throughit, I graduate the compression in the other portions, so as to l best promote the formation of new channels, of proper size and healthy structure; but, whether-the compression be uniform or variedI have found atmospheric action, on as large a portion of the skin of the diseased part as may be compatible with the requirements of pressure, to be indispensable to the new construction, or to the healthy kand vigorous reconstruction ofthe enlarged and tumeed parts.

The perforations or interstices e of the bandage, through which air is admitted to the surface of the skin, may be made, therefore, of any requisite calibre, relatively with the strands of the belt or bandage, to suit the necessities of the special case under treatment.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

I claim an elastic bandage, having numerous perforations or interstices, e, in its structure, to admit air to the surface of a diseased 'portion of the human body while under "compression, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

AN SON R. BROWN, M. I).

Witnesses:

FITCH R. WILLIAMS, RIENZI LOUD, SAML. J. HENDERSON.I 

